Panel-board construction.



E. S. MORRELL.

PANEL BOARD CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED mums, 1912 1,040,381. Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

3 SHEETSSHEET l.

40 194], Z INVENTOR WITNESSES v M BY MM/ a E. s. MORRELL.

PANEL BOARD CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 16, 1912,

Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

7 TOR M (5% ATTORNEY B. S. MORRELL.

PANEL BOARD CONSTRUCTION.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 16, 1912.

1,040,381 Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

FILE 5- IN VE N TOR W'TNESSES W EDWARD S. MORRELL, OF PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA.

PANEL-BOARD CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

Application filed January 16, 1912. Serial No. 671,431.

distributing boards, such, for example, as

used in the interior Wiring of houses or buildings, for makingelectrical connections between service or supply circuit conductors andthe lamp or other consumption circuit conductors.

It is the object of my invention to provide a panel board constructionin which the switches, or switches and fuses, are assembled as separableand detachable units suitably mounted upon an insulating member, anddisposed in such relation that a minimum of space is occupied, andpreferably in such manner that the movable contact member of a removableswitch engages a terminal stationary upon the panel board and notremovable with the switch or switch and fuse unit.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a panel boardconstruction in which the parts having onrequiring finish are placed ormounted after the actual wiring and connections of the wiring have beendone.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a panel boardconstruction having a front or cover which is removable withoutdisturbing the condition of the supply or consumption circuits, that is,without disturbing any parts which may be conducting or carryingcurrent.

:A further object is to provide a panel board construction in which theusual side insulating linings withinthe box are dispensedwith oravoided, as by employing the insulating material, forming the removableswitch or switch and fuse units to form a gutter between themselves andthe outer panel box; and in such relation further the use of a fuse asthe connecting medium or link between the supply and consumptioncircuits, as between the supply circuits and the switch. i

It is a further object of my invention to providev a panel boardconstruction in which the fuses are so arranged that it is impossiblefor an operator to come into contact with any electrically alive partswhile refusing a circuit or circuits.

Another object of my invention is to provide two cover plates, the outerof which covers the panel board apparatus and has an" aperture orapertures sufiiciently large as to easily clear the projecting parts ofthe panel board apparatus, as the switch or switch and fuse units, whilethe inner cover, which is a separate inner cover for each switch orswitch and fuse unit, has an aperture or apertures with small clearancesover the projecting parts of the switch or the switch and fuse units.

From a construction such as herein described there results aconsiderable saving in space, since the bus bars are mounted side byside and since the switches and fuses, and switch and fuse units aremounted side by side and, further, because the fuses are disposed overor above the bus bars, the

width of the panel board is decreased below that of prior practice. Afurther saving in space results from inclosing the switch, fuse, or theswitch and fuse within or upon a body or block of insulating material.In my preferred construction the fuses are located directly over the busbars to facilitate connection between fuse holders and bus bars. Becauseof this inclosure of the electrically alive metal parts in insulatingmaterial, the operator is prevented from touching them and re-fusing ofthe panel'board is possible, with a maximum degree of safety to theoperator touching electrically alive metal parts. And by making theswitch and fuse removable as an unitfrom the panel board having thereonthe posts and consumption circuitterminals, the panel board proper maybe installed and connections made thereto while the rough work in abuilding is being done; and while the building is being finished orafter it has been finished the removable switch and fuse units areattached to the parts previously installed, thus avoiding any danger ofdamage to the switches or fuses during the building process, as is usualwith the present type of panel boards. And by the employment ofremovable switch and fuse units a; new switch and fuse unit may be addedor withdrawn at any time without disturbing the operation or service oftheremainder of the .panel board and without cutting off currentrequiring repair may be independently removed without removing the panelboard and without interrupting service. While the switches and othervisible parts of prior panel boards require polishing and finishing,

J by in y construct-ion the amount of high finish ent and separateconsumption circuit termi-- or ornamental finish is reduced to aminimum, since practically all the parts are covered, and the cover onlyneed be finished or'ornamented. 5 I By the construction .herei'nillustrateda flush arrangement is provided; that is, only the switchhandles and fuse handles protrude and another parts are included withinthe panel board box. And by the employment of tbe'switch and fuse unitsthe use of risers, jumpers, or cross bars heretofore commonly used, isobviated. My construction is such that either the fuse or,..the switchmay be directly in communication with the bus bars and the switch andthe fuse in electrical communication with the consumption circuitterminal. t My invention resides in the features above referred to; andin the other features of construction hereinafter claimed.

For an illustration of one of the forms my invention may take, referenceis to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

described and Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view,

some parts in elevation, taken through a separable or detachable switchand fuse unit, taken on the line A-A of. Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal sectional view taken on the ins 13-13 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 isa top plan view of the two switches and fuse connections of a switch andfuse unit, with the switch actuating the parts, and the covers and otherparts omitted. Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the panel board, with partsof the coversremoved, and showing several switch. and fuse units inplace. Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the panel board and box shownin Fig. 4:; and taken on the line C-() of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a crosssectional view, partsin elevation, through a switch unit and through itscover, and through a part of the outer cover. Fig. 7 is a sideelevational view of a switch unit with a switch element, in openposition, the independnal being shown in coiiperating position. Fig. 8is an under side plan view of the switch operating members. Fig. 9 is aside elevational view of means for holding the panel board within thebox. Fig. 10 is a top plan view of one of the members shown in Fig. 9.Fig. 11 is a top plan view of another member shown in Fig. 9.

Referring first to Figs. 4i and 5, the panel boa'rd proper consists ofthe plate or member 1 of suitable insulating material, such as slate orthe like. Upon this member 1 are connected together by the'membcr (3, sothat the bus bars 3 and 41- are electrically unitary,

but mechanically separate in order to accommodate the switch and fuseunits hereinafter described. In the example shown there are threeelectrically distinct bus bars, such as. maybe used for an ordinarythreewire system. It is to be understood, how-. ever, that my inventionis not limited to the number of bus bars disclosed nor to the example of'their electrical connection as shown. It is apparent that bus bars 3and 5 may be electrically connected together and bus bars 2 and 4electrically connected together and each pair connected to one wire of atwo-Wire supply circuit. bar arrangements may be anything desired fortwo, three, or more wire circuits or for single, two-phase, three-phaseor other phase circuits of alternating current supply. The

bus bars 2,3, 4 and 5 are secured to the slate base 1 by screws 7 andthe service conductorsare electrically connected to the bus bars by thebinding screws 8, 9 and 10. On the base 1 are mounted also theconsumption or lamp circuit terminals in pairs 11 and 12, a/pair foreach consumption circuit. Each terminal 11 and 12 is supplied with abinding screw 13 for electrically connecting to the terminal theconsumption circuit conductor. such conductors 14 being shown in Figs.1, 2, 3 and 5. Between the bus bars and the consumption circuitterminals electrical communication is allordcd by the separable anddetachable i'use units 15 as hereinafter described. .lnclosing the units15 and the bus bars and the consumption circuit terminals is a boxhaving the sides 16 and bottom 16 which may be of sheet metal, and theouter cover or covers 17.

- Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, and Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive,the switch and fuse unit is shown as comprisedof the supporting member18 of molded porcelain, or any other suitable insulating material. Thereare'two longitudinal channels 19 and 19 in the top side of the block 18,thechannels being more distinct at the right hand ends, Figs. 1 to 3inclusive, where there is a porcelain separating wall 20 between them.In the bottom of the channel 19 is disposed a conductor 21 secured tothe block 18 by a screw 22 and in the bottom of the channeblt) isdisposed at similar conductor 21 similarly secured to the block 18 by ascrew 22. Each conductor 21 terminates in a screw-threaded member 23disposed over a hole 24, one hole- 24 extending down to the bare bus bar2 while the other extends down to the bare bus bar 3, see Figs. 1 and 2.In

Or the bus the member 25 and the cap 26. is secured the conductingmember 27 which terminates in the conducting spring fingers 28 extendinginwardly through the walls of the member 25. An inclosed fuse 29 havingthe conducting 'caps 30 has its upper cap 30 inserted into and engagingthe spring-fingers 28, thereby being brought into electricalcommunication with the conductor 21. The cap30 at the 7. other end ofthe fuse engages one of the bus bars as 2 or 3, one fuse cap engagingbus bar 2 and the lower cap of the other fuse engaging the bus bar 3.-By grasping the cap 26 and unscrewing the same, the member 25v with tips28 is removed and the fuse 29 is removed therewith. Each conductor 21extends to the left, as viewedin Figs. 1

to 3 inclusive, and continues in a downwardly vertically extendingportion 21and thence in a -horizontal portion 21" forming one terminalof each electric switch, each switch and fuse unit here shown comprisingtwo pairs of switches and fuses.v Secured to the vertical member 21isthe bracket 31 A to which there is pivoted at 32 a link or lever 33carrying at-it-s outer end a roller 34 pivoted to 33 at 35. The bracket31 extends longitudinally of the block 18 and is supported at its outerend by screw 36 to the block 18. Pivoted to this same bracket member 31at 37 is the cam member 38 having the cam surface 39 adapted to engage vthe members 34 and 40 as an unit. The ten-' the roller 34. Secured tothe link or lever 33 is the movable switch contact 40 of resilient sheetmetal whose one end maintains contact with the contact 21" and whoseother end is adapted to engage the consumption circuit terminal 11 or12. With its one end secured to'the bracket 21 and passing under the pin41 therein and winding around the pivot 32 is the spring 42 attached atits other end to sion of this spring 42 is such as to tend to rotate thelink 34 and the attached contact-4O in a clockwise direction about thepivot 42, as viewed in Fig. 1, to cause the member 40,

' which is bridging contacts 21 and contact 11 Q or 12, to leave contact11 or 12 to break circuit. The cam members 38 of two neighboring,switches on the same block 18 are elec the roller 34, thus depressingthe link 33 and bringing the movable contact 40 into engagement with theconsumption circuit termine] 11 or 12 in opposition to the spring 42.When the circuit closing position is reached the parts stay lockedbecause of the depression 39" in the cam surface which receives theroller 34. To open the circuit the handle'46 is pushed incounter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 7 raising theroller 34 out of depression 39 and spring 42 completes the openingmovement, whereupon the cam members 38 occupy the position shown 1n Fig.7. The operation of the switch isa snap or quick break action. Stops 47upon the cam members 38 engage in arc-shaped slots in the side cheeks ofthe members 31 to limit the extent of rotative motion, if desired, ofthe cam members.

Across the top of eachblock 18 is a cover plate. 48, which may be ofmetal, and suitably finished or ornamented, and provided with suitablyshaped apertures, to allow the passage of the cap or handle members 26of the fuses and the handle 46 and the member 49' as indicated in Figs.1, 2, 5 and 6. These apertures are sosmall, or their clearance is sosmall, that the inner cover plate 48 is not removable when these parts26, etc., are in operative position. At the fuse end of each block 18 isa screw 50 which extends downwardly and engages in one of the bus barsto mechanically secure the fuse block and the parts carried thereby tothe panel board. At the other end is a similar screw 50 which extendsdownwardly through a longitudinal slot 5O into the base 1, see Fig. 2,where it engages in a nut held in a socket on the under side of thebase 1. The

.several blocks 18 each carrying a pair of switch and fuse units arethen secured in }operative relation to the panel board, as 'shown inFig. 4, and by each switch and afuse unit an electrical connection ismade from abus bar to a distributing or consumption circuit terminal,the current passing from the bus bar through the fuse, then ;through themember 21, through the switch acontact 40 to the consumption circuitter- ;minal 11 or 12.

A cover plate 17, Figs. 4, 5 and 6, in one ior more'sections as desired,is secured by screws 51, Fig. 5, to the wooden or other finish strip ormold 52 secured by screws .53 to the inturned edge of the metal sidewalls 16. The outer cover 17 has a large irregularly shaped aperturewhich is shown at 54, Figs. 4 and 6, having suflicient opening orclearance to pass freely over the switch handles 46 and the fuse caps26. By this construction, the outer cover 17 may be easily removedwithout touching or disturbing any of the caps 26 or handles 46, thusexposing or baring the various independent switch and fuse units eachhaving its own separate and independent cover plate 48. Then, byloosening the screws 50 and 50 of any unit, that unit may he removedwithout disturbing any of the other units which may he eonduetingcurrent and supplying it to a consumption circuit. In other words. bythis emistruetion any of the switch and fuse units may he removedwithout disturbing any of the. others and so without interruptingservice to the various of the consumption circuits. The unit so removedmay be repaired if necessary, and then restored, again withoutdisturbing any of the the circuits or units. Any consumption circuit maybe re-i'used by simply unscrewing the caps 26 of a unit and insertingtherein new fuse cartridges and replacing the same. This can he doneeither with the cover 17 in place or removed.

As will be readily understood by moving the switch handles 46 to oneposition or the other the corresponding consumption cir- .cuit eitherinterrupted or closed.

i The slate base 1 is secured to the bottom 16" of the box 16 by theclamps,-one of which is illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive. Thebottom clamp. member 55 is seecured by screws or rivets 55? to thebottom 16. The member 55 has an upwardly inclined portion 56 having ascrew-threaded hole to receive the screw-threaded thumb screw or nu't57which passes through the slot 58 in the upper clamping member 59 whichhas a horizontal lug 6O engaging the top of the base 1, see Fig. 9, andwhich has a vertical lug (l1 resting against the side of the base 1. Byclamping the member 59 to the member 56 the base 1 is clamped to thebottom l6 and the slot 58 allows adjustment. With the insulating blocks18 in position, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5,"'thcre is formed betweenexposed outer sides and ends of the blocks 18 and the inner wall of thebox 16 a trough suitable for receiving service and consumption circuitconductors, thus avoiding the necessity'ior the use of a slate or otherinsulating side or trough member commonly used around theslate bases ofprior panel boardsto formja trough or space between the same andtheinner side of the box. Y

From the foregoing description, it isiapparent that I have provided apanel board which occupies a minimum amount of space; which protectsanyone-from injury and which nevertheless has the parts necessary foroperation exposed for convenient use; which-prevents the operator frominjuring himself when operating switches or renewing fuses; which makesit impossible for the operator or any one else to shortcircuit any ofthe supply 'or-consumption circuits; which is adapted for modernbuilding conditionsywhich makes it possibio and convenient to replaceparts liable I to be damaged; which makes it possible to replace damagedparts without disturbing or cutting off current from the other workingparts; which decreases the. amount of exposed surface or number ofexposed. parts which must necessarily, if exposcd, be finished; andwhich eliminates or avoids the necessity for the present form of saidlin- 'in 's. v

What I'claim'i's:

' 1. The combination with a' panel board, of bus bars thereon,-consumption circuit tor-- minals permanently secured thereon, a removable switchunit comprising contactmembers movable with respectthereto for connecting said bus bars with said consumption circuitterminals, a cover on said switch unit, members of said switch unitprojecting through said 1 cover, and a cover for said panel board, saidcover having apertures witlr-which said projections-on said switch unitsregister, said apertures having sufficient clearance around saidprojections for removal of said ,cover without removal of saidprojections. 1

'2. In combination, a panel board, bus bars in engagement therewiththroughout their length and securedthereto, consumption circuitterminals on said panel board, a contain'er of insulating materialadapted to be secured to said panel board, and a. switchand afuse withinand carried by said container and removable therewith as a unit,

said fuse being disposed at right angles to the plane of said panelboard.

3. In combination,a panel board, bus bars in engagement therewiththroughout their length and secured thereto, consumption circuitterminals on said, panel board, a 0011- tainer of insulating materialadapted to be secured to said'panel board, and a switch and a fusewithin and carried by said container and removable therewith as a unit,

the movableelement of saidswitch adapted to engage with a panel board. y

4.1m combination, ametal box, apanel board within the sa1ne, clamps forsecuring contact secured to said said panel board to said 'box and-forpermitting adjustment with relation thereto, bus bars upon saidpanelboard consumption circuit terminals upon said panel board, apluralityof indepe'ndentmem'bers of insu latingmaterial disposed side byside and Se- 12 cured independentlyofeach other to said' panel board ata distance from-aside of said box, whereby: a gutter is formed; betweena Ride f-'iidtox andsaid member s, and fuse and a switclrcarriedby'Said.

members and'removable as a unit therewith:

5. In combinationia metal box, a panel board 'within flfek same, clampsfor I securing said panel boziirdvito'lshid' box and for permitting 1adjustment wah a1aaoa thereto,

bus bars upon said panel board, consumption circuit terminals upon saidpanel board, a lurality of independent members of insu-' ating materialdisposed side by side and secured independently of each other to saidpanel board at a distanceifrom a side of said 1 ox, whereby a gutterisformed between a side of said box and said members, a fuse and aswitch carried by each of said members and removable as a unittherewith, a cover for each of said members, switch and fuse partsprojecting through said cover, and a cover for said box having anaperture for each unit with which said switch and fuse parts of eachunit register, said apertures in said cover'hav'ing so great a clearancefrom said switch and fuse parts that said cover may be removedwithoutdisturbing said switch and fuse parts.

6. The combination with a panel board and its bus bars and consumptioncircuit terminals secured thereon, of a removable fuse unit comprising afuse support and a fuse, a box inclosing said panel board and said unit,and a cover for said box having "an aperture through which said fuse maybe inserted in said unit without removal of said cover or said unit. I

7. The combination with a panel board and its bus, bars and consumptioncircuit terminals secured thereon, of a removable switch unit forconnecting said bus bars with said consumption circuit terminals, a boxinclosing said panel board and said switch unit, a cover for said boxhaving an aperture through which operating mechanism of said switchextends, and a cover on said switch unit having an aperture throughwhich said operating mechanism of said switch extends.

. 8. The combination with a panel board, of bus bars secured thereon,consumption circuit terminals secured thereon, a pluralit of removableunits each comprising a bloc of insulating material and conductorsthereon for bridging said bus bars and con sumption circuit terminals, abox inclosin'g said panel board and said units, said units disposed sideby side and at a distance from a side of said box, whereby a gutter isformed between a side of said box and the insulating material of saidunits.

9. The combination with a panel board,

of a bus bar thereon, a consumption circuit terminal contact secured tosaid panel board, and a detachable switch unit com- I prising a block ofinsulating material and a contact member carried thereby and movablewith respect thereto, said switch unit contact when moved with respectto said block adapted to engage with or disengage from said consumptioncircuit terminal contact. v

10'. The combination with a panel board, of a bus bar secured thereon, aconsumption circuit terminal contact secured to said board, and "adetachable switch unit comprising a block of insulating material and aswitch contact carried by and movable with respect to said block, saidswitch contact adapted to engage with or disengage from said-consumptioncircuit terminal contact upon the movement of said switch contact withrespect to said block, said block having a recess receiving said busbar.

, 11. The combmation with a panel board, of a bus bar and a consumptioncircuit terminal contact secured thereon, a detachable switch and fuseunit comprising a block of insulating material, a fuse terminal, a fuse,and a switch contact carried by said block, said switch contact movablewith respect to said block for engaging with or disengaging from saidconsumption circuit terminal contact, the free terminal of said fuseengaging said bus bar.

12. The combination W1 th a panel board, of'a bus bar and a consumptioncircuit terminal contact secured thereon, a detachable switch and fuseunit comprising a block of insulating material, a fuse terminal, a fuse,and a switch contact carried by said block, said switch contact movablewith respect to said block for engaging with and disengaging from saidconsumption circuit ter- 5 minal contact, the free terminal of said fuseengaging said bus bar, said block having a recess receiving said busbar.

13. The combination with a panel board, of a bus bar thereon, aconsumption circuit 1 0 terminal contact secured to said panel board,and a detachable switch unit com prising a block of insulating materialand a contact member carried thereby and movable with respect thereto,said switch unit contact when moved with respect to said block adaptedto engage with or disengage from said consumption circuit terminalcontact, said block of insulating material inclosing said consumptioncircuit terminal no contact.

14:. The combination with a panel board, of a bus bar and a consumptioncircuit ter minal contact secured thereon, of a detachable switch andfuse unit comprising a block of insulating material, a fuse disposed atright angles to said panel board and adapted to engage said bus bar, anda switch contact carried by and movable with respect to said block forengaging with or disengaging from said consumption circuit terminalcontact.

15. The combination with a panel board, of a bus bar and a consumptioncircuit terminal secured thereon, of a detachable fuse unit forelectrically connecting said bus bar and said consumption circuitterminal, said unit comprising a block of insulating material, a fuseterminal carried by said block, a fuse, a detachable fuse holder carrying said fuse and adapted to make elecaffixed; my signature in thepresence of the trical connectifon wigh saig 115: terminal 'iiWOsubscribing witnesses. .the free end 0 said use a a te to en a e saidbus bar, andmeans for c zmnectings d EDVARD MORRH'LL' 5 fuse terminalwith said consumption circuit Witnesses:

terminal. ANNA E. STEINBOCK, In testimony whereof I have hereuntoELEANOR T. MCCALL.

